“Arkansas' clean energy economy is just getting started,” said Donald Richardson, Arkansas representative for the Pew Environment Group. “ But between 1998 and 2007, jobs in the state’s clean energy economy grew twice as fast as the economy overall. The Arkansas Alternative Fuel Development Program has offered millions to business to spur investment.”

Gov. Mike Beebe, D-Ark., said clean energy is an important industry for the state.

“We are proud to see our efforts in clean energy development place us among the nation’s leaders in this important industry,” he said. “Our continued work in smart-grid technology, nanotechnology, windmill manufacturing and biomass development will all contribute to further growth in the clean-energy sector and create much-needed jobs for Arkansans.”

Renewable energy grants that are available include four competitions designed to serve workers in need of training through various national and community outlets including energy training partnership grants, pathways out of poverty grants, state energy sector partnership and training grants and green capacity building grants.

“Emerging green jobs are creating opportunities for workers to enter careers that offer good wages and pathways to long-term job growth and prosperity,” Solis said. “Workers receiving training through projects funded by these competitions will be at the forefront as our nation transforms the way we generate electricity, manufacture products and do business across a wide range of industries.”

A fifth competition for state and labor market information improvement grants will fund state work-force agencies that will collect, analyze and disseminate labor market information and develop labor exchange infrastructure to direct individuals to careers in green industries.

In 2007, there were nearly 4,600 jobs in Arkansas’ clean energy economy. The report found emerging clean energy is creating well –paying jobs in every state.

“There is bipartisan support and a growing market demand for transitioning to the clean energy economy,” Phyllis Cuttine, director of U.S. Global Warming Campaign at the Pew Environment Group said. “Americans understand the transition is good for the overall economy, is creating new opportunities for jobs and business growth and helps protect our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Congress and the Obama administration can and must produce energy and global warming legislation that created jobs, enhances energy independence and sustains our environment.

The U.S. Department of Labor green job grant competition is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Programs funded through these grants will be conducted in partnership with the public workforce system in order to prepare workers to enter careers in targeted industries.

For more information on the Pew analysis, visit www.pewtrusts.org/cleanenergyeconomy.
For more information on the U.S. Department of Labor grants, visit www.grants.gov.